Solar-powered mobile escalator

ABSTRACT

Self-contained mobile solar-powered escalator systems for aircraft entry comprising a security canopy and safety walls for protection, an electric cargo vehicle, an escalator, a lift system, exiting platform, leveler/stabilizers, heavy duty front and rear suspension, formal arriving platform, handrails, repair compartments, expandable waterproof and bulletproof canopy, distance light indicator, inflatable rubber bumper, and emergency brakes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/594,375, entitled “Protection and SecurityMobile Solar-Powered Escalator”, to Daniel E. Guajardo Sr., filed on May12, 2017, and the specification and claims thereof are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

Embodiments of the present invention relate to mobile escalators, andmore particularly to a solar-powered escalator with safety walls anddome security cover over the escalator for the security, safety, andcomfort of the user.

Description of Related Art

When boarding an aircraft from the ground level, open-air stairwaysleading up to the aircraft door are traditionally used to boardpassengers. These traditionally truck-mounted mobile stairways (seeFIG. 1) can be dangerous and inconvenient for individuals boarding anaircraft. For example, truck-mounted mobile stairways can causeaccidents such as tripping or falling and can be dangerous especially ininclement weather. Risks can generally arise from the steep grade of thesteps, and the materials and mechanics used to construct the stairway,including inadequate railing, flooring, stability, and so forth.Moreover, known truck-mounted stairways leave passengers boarding anaircraft open to risk and exposed to attacks, for example from snipersshooting from long distances or chemicals or chemical agents.

In particular, the use of such open-air stairways leading up to theaircraft door is particularly dangerous when passengers boarding theaircraft are high-profile individuals or dignitaries, such as the UnitedStates President, United States Secretary of State, other heads ofstate, celebrities, or other individuals that might otherwise be thetarget of an attack to their person. The safety and security of theseindividuals is at risk because traditional truck-mounted mobilestairways provide inadequate protection when boarding an aircraft.Additionally, in the case of fossil fuel powered trucks and motors,truck-mounted stairways and escalators have a massive carbon footprintand are generally unfriendly to the environment.

Embodiments of the present invention solve these problems of risk topersonal security and environmental concerns. Embodiments of the presentinvention provide a protection and security self-contained mobilesolar-powered escalator system containing an electric cargo vehicle withits own repair and maintenance compartment, an escalator withbulletproof base and security canopy and safety walls accentuating thesecurity and safety of persons boarding an aircraft from the groundlevel. Embodiments of the present invention provide 360-degree security,external solar panels and interior lighting, hydraulic raise/lowerpistons, an exiting platform, and a formal arrival platform. Embodimentsof the present invention further proved a driver all-weather compartmentwith a clear top, leveler and stabilizers, heavy duty front and rearsuspension, handrails, repair compartments, optional expandablewaterproof and bulletproof entry and exit point coverings, optionalinterior air conditioning and heating, optional interior and exteriorsecurity cameras, a distance light indicator, an inflatable rubberbumper, emergency brakes, optional installments for the physicallyimpaired, e.g., a commercially available stair lift or a wheelchairaccommodative escalator combinations thereof, and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise self-contained vehiclemounted systems. In one embodiment, a vehicle mounted system comprises acargo vehicle comprising a powerdrive, one or more batteries, braking,suspension, steering, and electrical systems, front, rear, sides andbottom ends, the front end comprising an enclosed driver compartment andthe rear end comprising a bed, the top of the bed comprising a liftsystem disposed thereon, an escalator pivotally connected to a rear endof the bed, the escalator comprising a front and a rear end, anescalator track comprising steps, a security canopy comprising a top andsafety walls rated at least level one for stopping bullets, the frontend of the escalator comprising a first platform and the rear end of theescalator comprising a second platform, and one or moremaintenance/storage compartments.

In one embodiment, the escalator comprises solar photo-voltaic cells,for example, disposed on the safety canopy. In one embodiment, the firstplatform comprises an inflatable rubber bumper. In one embodiment, thesystem comprises an expandable waterproof accordion-like canopy abovethe first platform, optionally made of a bulletproof material rated atleast level one for stopping bullets. In one embodiment, the canopyextends above a full length of the escalator. In one embodiment, thesafety walls extend a full length of the escalator, are transparent,and/or are bulletproof. In one embodiment, the canopy is bulletproof.Preferably, the escalator comprises hand rails and an expandableaccordion-like canopy above the exiting platform that is preferablywaterproof.

In one embodiment, the escalator comprises interior lighting and/or adistance or proximity indicator. Optionally, the exiting platform caninclude a bumper—most preferably an inflatable bumper made from anelastic material such as rubber.

In one embodiment, the lifting system comprises hydraulic pistons. Inone embodiment, the enclosed driver compartment comprises a transparenttop. Preferably, the vehicle mounted system comprises one or morestabilizers. In one embodiment, the rear end of the escalator comprisesa second platform, with optional non-moving steps. In one embodiment,the system comprises a waterproof and bulletproof entry/exit pointcovering disposed over the second platform and its non-moving stepsrated at least level one for stopping bullets.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be setforth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following,or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects andadvantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a partof the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose ofillustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and arenot to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates the prior art by showing an exposed dignitary goingdown a truck mounted stairway;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwith the escalator in a lifted configuration;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 showing anoptional arriving platform of the embodiment with an arriving dignitarystanding on it;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the frame preferably used in themanufacture of the embodiment of FIG. 2, with metal sheets partiallycovering the frame; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention furthercomprising an exiting/entry point covering extending all the way to atransportation vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to protection and securityself-contained mobile solar-powered escalators. In one embodiment, themobile solar-powered escalator comprises an electric cargo vehicle withits own repair and maintenance compartment, an escalator withbulletproof base, a security canopy enhancing the security and safety ofpersons boarding an aircraft from the ground-level by providing360-degree security, bulletproof safety walls where the security canopyhas external solar panels and interior lighting, hydraulic raise/lowerpistons, an exiting platform, a formal arrival platform, a leveler andstabilizers, heavy duty front and rear suspension, handrails, repaircompartments, optional expandable waterproof and bulletproof entry andexit point coverings, a distance light indicator, an inflatable rubberbumper, emergency brakes, combinations thereof, and the like. In anotherembodiment, the security cover further comprises optional interior airconditioning and heating, interior security cameras, and exteriorsecurity cameras. In yet another embodiment, the escalator furthercomprises optional installments for the physically impaired, e.g., acommercially available stair lift or a wheelchair accommodativeescalator. In a further embodiment, the escalator can comprise a driverall-weather compartment—optionally with a clear top.

As used throughout the specification and claims, the term “safety walls”refers to walls built of materials that are resistant to potentialattacks and/or hazards including bullets, chemicals and chemical agents,fire, etc. Security canopy 34 can also be formed from such materials.More particularly, the terms “bullet resistance”, “bulletproof”, and/or“ballistic material”, refer to various levels of security systems,including but not limited to glass, ceramics, polycarbonates,para-aramids, polyethylene and other plastics, titanium, steel, carbonfiber composite materials, other ballistic materials whether opaque,translucent, or transparent, combinations thereof, that have beenestablished by Underwriters Laboratory (“UL”) through experimentaltesting and found effective at stopping certain types of projectiles,e.g., bullets of calibers most typically employed during armedrobberies, assassination attempts, etc., and rated at levels one througheight and supplementary for shotgun shown in table 1 below or theirequivalents:

TABLE 1 No. V min V mas V of Rating Ammunition Weight (g) FPS FPS MPSShots Level 1 9 mm Full Metal Copper 124 grains 8.00 1175 1293 358 3Jacket with Lead Core Level 2 .357 Magnum Jacketed 158 grains 10.20 12501375 385 3 Lead Soft Point Level 3 .44 Magnum Lead Semi- 240 grains15.60 1350 1485 411 3 Wadcutter Gas Checked Level 4 .30 Caliber RifleLead Core 180 grains 11.7 2540 2794 774 1 Soft Point (.30-06 Caliber)Level 5 7.62 mm Rifle Lead Core 150 grains 9.7 2750 3025 838 1 FullMetal Copper Jacket, Military Ball (.308 Caliber) Level 6 9 mm FullMetal Copper 124 grains 8.0 1400 1540 427 5 Jacket with Lead Core Level7 5.56 mm Rifle Full Metal 55 grains 3.56 3080 3388 939 5 Copper Jacketwith Lead Core (.223 Caliber) Level 8 7.62 Rifle Lead Core Full 150grains 9.7 2750 3025 838 5 Metal Copper Jacket, Military Ball (.308Caliber) Supplementary 12-Gauge Rifled Lead Slug 1 oz. 28.30 1585 1744483 3 Shotgun Supplementary 12-Guage 00 Lead 1.5 oz. 42.00 1200 1320 3663 Shotgun Buckshot (12 pellets)

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 2-6,according to one embodiment of the present invention, self-containedmobile solar-powered escalator 10 comprises cargo vehicle 12, which ispreferably electric and front wheel drive. Cargo vehicle 12 preferablycomprises repair/maintenance compartment 14, accessible through one ormore doors 13. Preferably, compartment 14 houses a motor for anescalator and a pivot mechanism that allows the escalator to move up anddown, spare tires, tools, etc. Cargo vehicle 12 can further comprisecontrol external panel 16, tires 20, which can optionally be aircraftquality and in tandem, hydraulic piston leveler and stabilizers 18,which can optionally raise for maintenance, e.g., tire maintenancewithout the need of a floor jack. Preferably, cargo vehicle 12 comprisesa steering system with tie rods or robotic units for front tires 20 forindependently steering, and hydraulic pistons 22, which, in oneembodiment preferably have a 20-ton capacity each to raise and lower theescalator to desired levels depending on the height of the aircraft. Inone embodiment, control external panel 16 comprises at least one poweroutlet to optionally provide power for external needs, such as electricvehicles in the vicinity of self-contained mobile solar-poweredescalator 10. In this manner, self-contained mobile solar-poweredescalator 10 is optionally used as a generator when it is not needed forboarding/exiting of aircraft passengers. Particularly, when additionalphotovoltaic solar panels are disposed on other surfaces ofself-contained mobile solar-powered escalator 10, such as openable hood54 and openable lids 58.

Preferably, cargo vehicle 12 further comprises driver cabin 24, the topof which can optionally be made of a clear material such as transparentor translucent material, for example glass or plastic. Such clearmaterial can improve the visibility of an operator. Optionally, drivercabin 24 is weather-proofed and can be accessible through stairs 25. Inone embodiment, cargo vehicle 12 also comprises formal arriving platform26, handrails 28, and optionally escalating steps 30. In one embodiment,formal arriving platform 26 and escalating steps 30 are preferably madeof non-slipping expanded metal. Optionally, fire extinguishers 32 areremovably attached to cargo vehicle 12, and are preferably electric fireextinguishers. In one embodiment, cargo vehicle 12 comprises front wheeldrive, electric motor and ignition, front and rear running lights, sidelights, and back up lights. Optionally, cargo vehicle 12 comprises powersteering and electric brakes.

In one embodiment, a low cost/low maintenance electric cargo vehicle ismanufactured by first building frame 44 (see FIG. 7). Frame 44 can bebuilt from suitable materials such as steel. Optionally, frame 44 can bedouble reinforced. Frame 44 is preferably built to accommodaterepair/maintenance compartment 14, batteries storage compartment 46, andengine compartment 48. Optionally, workbench (not shown) is disposed inrepair/maintenance compartment 14. Preferably, sheets of, for example,metal or other suitable materials, are used to cover frame 44 duringmanufacturing of cargo vehicle 12, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Engine compartment 48 preferably houses electric motor (not shown) andcomprises openable hood 54. Batteries compartment 46 preferablycomprises one or more batteries (not shown), and further comprises oneor more openable lids 58. Optionally, cargo vehicle 12 comprises bumper60, which can optionally comprise front emergency towing rig 62.Alternatively, other towing devices can be attached to bumper 60,including hitches, hooks, combinations thereof, and the like.

In one embodiment, mobile solar-powered escalator 10 preferablycomprises bulletproof security canopy 34 and safety walls 38 rated atleast level one for stopping bullets, more preferably rated at leastlevel five, and most preferably rated at least level eight. Securitycanopy 34 and safety walls 38 enhance the security and safety of personsboarding an aircraft from the ground-level by providing 360-degreesecurity via bulletproof safety walls 38 being either fused together asseparate panels or manufactured in one smooth piece depending on theballistic materials used, and the weight of such ballistic materials.Such ballistic materials used include bullet-resistant glass, ceramics,polyethylene and other plastics, titanium, steel, Kevlar, Lexan, carbonfiber composite materials, other ballistic materials whether opaque ortransparent, combinations thereof and the like and are preferably ratedat least level one, more preferably at least level five, and mostpreferably rated at least level eight for stopping bullets by UL.Depending on the ballistic materials used, security canopy 34 can beremovable. The optimal material of security cover 34 is preferablycarefully selected to stop all types of bullets or weapons anticipatedfor the specific use. In one embodiment of the present invention, safetywalls 38 are of substantial thickness, e.g., about six inches thick, anddepending on the ballistic material used, thicker as necessary for thesafety of the user.

In the case of chemicals and chemical agents, the shaft of mobilesolar-powered escalator 10 can be retrofitted with air filtrationsystems and the like to inhibit chemicals and chemical agents fromentering either the aircraft or permeating the air interior to mobilesolar-powered escalator 10—for example by blowing air down from theaircraft entry door. Additionally, mobile solar-powered escalator 10 canbe equipped with emergency oxygen supply equipment. Furthermore, theescalator base of mobile solar-powered escalator 10 can preferably beconstructed from, or reinforced with, ballistic materials rated towithstand all types of known bullets or weapons anticipated for thespecific use and those that will be discovered in the future, e.g.levels 1-8 under UL categories or equivalent. Such materials could alsoinclude bullet-resistant glass, ceramics, polyethylene and otherplastics, titanium, steel, Kevlar, Lexan, carbon fiber compositematerials, other ballistic materials whether opaque or transparent,combinations thereof and the like.

Optionally, security canopy 34 can be colored with either paint,lacquers, or additives to glass or plastic to fit the preference of theuser or to camouflage into the environment of use. Where photovoltaicsystems are used (see description below), the photovoltaic is preferablyoverlaid over safety canopy 34 and safety walls 38, and can further bemanufactured to blend with the overall color and design preferences ofthe user. Paints and lacquers used can further enhance the safety,security and comfort of mobile solar-powered escalator 10 with carefulselection of paints and lacquers used, e.g., solar reflective orinsulative paint, radiation reflective paint, or other specializedpaints providing necessary levels of protection.

Preferably, security canopy 34 comprises a pitched configuration and canoptionally comprise gutter-like cap 68 at the arrival end of securitycanopy 34, to deflect, for example, rain or snow away from formalarrival platform 26. Mobile solar-powered escalator 10 preferablycomprises exiting platform 70.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, security canopy 34 comprisesoptional expandable waterproof and bulletproof entry and exit pointcoverings 72 and 73, e.g., an accordion-like or smooth expandablewaterproof and bulletproof (rated at least level one) entry and exitpoint coverings 72 and 73 above platforms 70 and 26 that overlays ontothe aircraft entry door and the vehicle door from which a user exits inorder to board the aircraft. In one embodiment, waterproof andbulletproof entry and exit point coverings 72 and 73 can preferablyexpand to wrap around the aircraft's door and a vehicle door, and canretract when not in use. Waterproof and bulletproof entry and exit pointcoverings 72 and 73 can be optionally operable from either aircraftplatform 70 or driver cabin 24. In one embodiment, waterproof andbulletproof entry and exit point coverings 72 and 73 are constructedfrom flexible materials such as, but not limited to, rubber reinforcedwith ballistic nylon, Kevlar and Aramid fibers, reinforced carbon fibercomposite materials, or any other flexible ballistic materials.

Security canopy 34 preferably comprises photovoltaics in the form solarpanels 36, which can be raised above the roof of security canopy 34.Security canopy 34 preferably comprises thin, flexible photovoltaicsolar panels 36 that can be molded to the shape of security canopy 34,can be transparent or opaque, and decrease the weight of security canopy34. Alternatively, a plurality of smaller garden style solar panels 64in addition to solar panels 36 can be used. In one embodiment, smallersolar panels 64 can optionally be placed between solar panels 36. Solarpanels 36 and smaller solar panels 64 can optionally power interiorlighting 66 on the ceiling, optional air conditioning and heating builtinto security canopy 34, optional security cameras (not shown) bothinterior and external to security canopy 34, an accumulator, which ispreferably stored in compartment 14, and can be connected to and capableof charging one or more batteries 56. In one embodiment, additionalphotovoltaic solar panels are disposed on other surfaces ofself-contained mobile solar-powered escalator 10, such as openable hood54 and openable lids 58.

Referring to FIG. 5, security canopy 34 can optionally comprise light74, which can be red and which is preferably disposed at its highestpoint. In one embodiment, distance light indicator 71, which is aproximity sensor, is located above exiting platform 70, which isoptionally operable from driver cabin 24. Exiting platform 70 preferablycomprises one or more inflatable rubber bumpers 76 to contact, forexample, an aircraft, and further comprises emergency brake sensor 81,which halts the cargo vehicle when bumper 76 contacts something.Optionally, bar 23 extends between the pistons under mobilesolar-powered escalator 10 for support.

In one embodiment, mobile solar-powered escalator 10 comprises topcompartment 78, which can optionally be accessible through at least onedoor 80 on either one or both sides of mobile solar-powered escalator10, for any repairs required for the escalator track. In one embodiment,the top and bottom edges of bulletproof safety walls 38 preferablycomprise elastic caps, which are most preferably made from rubber, forsafety. In a different embodiment, a commercially available stair liftwith folding arm/foot rest can optionally be installed to assistpassengers with physical disabilities. Alternatively, awheelchair-friendly or otherwise accommodating retrofitted escalator canbe installed to assist passengers with physical disabilities. Althoughthe foregoing embodiments describe numerous features which canoptionally be provided, in one embodiment, only one or a few of thesefeatures can be provided.

In one embodiment, mobile solar-powered escalator 10 further comprises afossil fuel generator to produce additional and/or backup power for thesystem. In a different embodiment, the cargo vehicle has a fossil fuelpowered engine.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of safelydisembarking passengers (e.g., dignitaries traveling by aircraft)comprising: driving a self-contained vehicle mounted system like the onedisclosed above to a proximity of a disembarking door in its loweredconfiguration; lifting the escalator of the system; driving theself-contained vehicle mounted system toward the disembarking doorsuntil the system's distance light indicator indicates there is contactwith the area below the disembarking door and the system's firstplatform; opening the disembarking door; deploying the system'sexpandable accordion-like canopy; turning on the escalator track; andturning off the escalator track after passengers have exited the system.In one embodiment, the method further comprises driving the system awayfrom the disembarking door and lowering the escalator.

Note that in the specification and claims, “about” or “approximately”means within twenty percent (20%) of the numerical amount cited.Although the invention has been described in detail with particularreference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achievethe same results. Variations and modifications of the present inventionwill be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. Theentire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, andpublications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-contained vehicle mounted systemcomprising: a solar-powered electric cargo vehicle; said solar-poweredelectric cargo vehicle comprising a powerdrive, one or more batteries,braking, suspension, steering, and electrical systems, front, rear,sides and bottom ends; said front end comprising an enclosed drivercompartment; said rear end comprising a bed; a top of said bedcomprising a lift system disposed on said bed; an electric escalatorpivotally connected to a rear end of said bed; said electric escalatorcomprising a front and a rear end, an escalator track comprising steps,a canopy comprising a top and walls; said front end of said electricescalator comprising a first platform comprising an expandable,waterproof accordion-like canopy; said escalator rear end comprising asecond platform; one or more maintenance/storage compartments; and asolar energy system disposed above said top of said canopy.
 2. Theself-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 1 wherein said firstplatform comprises an inflatable bumper.
 3. The self-contained vehiclemounted system of claim 1 wherein said canopy extends above a fulllength of said electric escalator.
 4. The self-contained vehicle mountedsystem of claim 1 wherein said walls extend a full length of saidelectric escalator.
 5. The self-contained vehicle mounted system ofclaim 1 wherein said walls are transparent or translucent.
 6. Theself-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 1 further comprising handrails.
 7. The self-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 1 whereinsaid electric escalator comprises interior lighting.
 8. Theself-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 1 further comprising adistance light indicator.
 9. The self-contained vehicle mounted systemof claim 1 wherein said lift system comprises hydraulic pistons.
 10. Theself-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 1 wherein said encloseddriver compartment comprises a transparent top.
 11. The self-containedvehicle mounted system of claim 1 further comprising one or morestabilizers.
 12. The self-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 1wherein said second platform comprises escalating, fixed steps.
 13. Theself-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 12 further comprising awaterproof entry point covering disposed over said second platform andsaid fixed steps.
 14. A self-contained vehicle mounted systemcomprising: a solar-powered electric cargo vehicle; said solar-poweredelectric cargo vehicle comprising a powerdrive, one or more batteries,braking, suspension, steering, and electrical systems, front, rear,sides and bottom ends; said front end comprising a driver compartment; alift system disposed on said solar-powered electric cargo vehicle; anelectric escalator pivotally connected to said solar-powered electriccargo vehicle; said electric escalator comprising a front and a rearend, an escalator track comprising steps, a canopy comprising a top andwalls; said front end of said electric escalator comprising a firstplatform comprising an expandable, waterproof accordion-like canopy; anda solar energy system configured to be raised above said top of saidcanopy.
 15. The self-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 14wherein said walls are transparent or translucent.
 16. Theself-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 14 further comprisinghand rails.
 17. The self-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 14wherein said lift system comprises hydraulic pistons.
 18. Theself-contained vehicle mounted system of claim 14 wherein said drivercompartment comprises a transparent top.
 19. The self-contained vehiclemounted system of claim 14 further comprising one or more stabilizers.